[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15418]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              100TH ANNIVERSARY OF BOSSIER CITY, LOUISIANA

 Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, I wish to honor Bossier City, LA, 
which is celebrating its centennial anniversary, and I would like to 
take a few moments to publicly recognize their great history.
  In the 1830s, the area of Bossier City originally encompassed the 
Elysian Groves Plantation of James Crane. Due to its proximity to the 
river, it quickly became a hotbed for trade and activity. By 1850, 
hundreds of wagons crossed through the vicinity on their way to the 
West; many settlers also stayed, realizing the land's fertile river 
valley and abundant farmland. Soon, interstate railway systems boomed, 
and Bossier became a growing metropolis. The farmers, realizing the 
area's potential, quickly began to sell plots of land as transportation 
flourished. Finally, in 1907, with its growing textile industry and 
expansive transportation system, Bossier City received official status 
as a city in Louisiana. Throughout its history, Bossier City has 
endured and survived many impediments, such as the great fire which 
consumed over half of the downtown area. In the late 1950s, Bossier was 
named the fastest growing city in Louisiana.
  Bossier City began its centennial celebration on April 7 with the 
biggest birthday party that the city has ever witnessed on the banks of 
the city's foundation on the Red River. The initial festivities ranged 
from the opportunity to meet the city's oldest resident to a reception, 
with a 100-square-foot birthday cake. Throughout the year, the 
commemoration will continue with events from the American Cancer 
Society's Relay for Life to Barksdale Air Force Base. Over the year, 
residents and business owners in the city will be able to attend and 
plan activities that aid in representing the city's deep southern 
history and culture.
  The centennial memorializes Bossier City's rise to one of the great 
cities of the State of Louisiana. Today, I want to congratulate Bossier 
City on the last 100 years, and I wish the residents luck and continued 
success and progress.

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